Redhawks need new coach

May 11, 2012

North Tama football has enjoyed unprecendented success over the past few years, winning a state title just two seasons ago. Now, a big part of that success will be leaving the school at the end of the year.

Brent Thoren, head football coach and social studies teacher, has accepted a position at Grundy Center High School and will leave North Tama at the end of the school year.

Thoren, who has been the head football coach for the past three seasons, is a Grundy Center native, and took the position because it will allow him to teach and coach in his hometown. Thoren will also have the opportunity to do administration work, something he has an interest in as an educator.

Despite his relatively short stint as coach, Thoren had tremendous success, highlighted by the 2010 Class A state championship he guided the Redhawks to. But perhaps more rewarding has been the 12 years he spent educating students in Traer.

"I have been honored to be given so many opportunities and to be a part of so many educational and athletic successes," Thoren said. "It has been a privilege to serve the community here in Traer, and for that I am so grateful."

Thoren will be finishing out his teaching duties this school year before beginning at Grundy Center in the fall of 2012. The desire to spend more time with his family ended up weighing heavily on his choice to leave North Tama.

"It was an incredibly difficult decision," Thoren said. "I took the position because I do live in Grundy and my son will now be going into kindergarten this fall, and my daughter is in second grade, so to be in the same school as them will allow me to be more involved with their lives."

The Redhawks will now search for a coach from within their ranks before looking outward to hire a new staff member. The position will involve both head coaching and teaching, as is typical for most high schools of North Tama's size. The Traer Star-Clipper will have updates of the coaching search as progress is made.